SPRINGFIELD – Chicago residents may no longer be forced to drive to the suburbs for their vehicle emissions testing based on new legislation sponsored by State Senator John Mulroe (D-Chicago). After emissions test sites closed in the Chicagoland area in November, Mulroe introduced legislation to require the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to locate vehicle emissions inspections stations within a five-mile radius of those subject to testing.

“By closing emissions testing facilities in Chicago, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has created an undue burden on Chicago residents to meet the emission testing requirement” Mulroe said. “Getting a vehicle’s emissions tested can already be a time-consuming task in and of itself. We should not add to that by forcing Chicagoans to driver further to fulfill this obligation.”

The Illinois Vehicle Emissions Testing Program was established by federal law to improve air quality and public health in large cities. Current state law requires emissions test sites to be located within a 12-mile radius of vehicle owners subject to testing. Cars manufactured in 1996 or later must have its emissions tested after it is 4 years old.

“The goal of the emissions testing is to reduce air pollution from vehicles,” Mulroe said. “We shouldn’t be increasing pollution by forcing individuals to drive further from their homes for testing.”

Biography: Born July 21, 1959, in Chicago; BBA, accounting, Loyola University; J.D., Loyola University School of Law; member of Chicago and Illinois State Bar associations; full-time attorney; former assistant state's attorney and arbitrator for Cook County; certified public accountant; married (wife, Margaret), four children.